Phoenix Suns - Weekly Roundup - Week 2
- Matt Elvy
- Nov 1, 2021
- 3 min read
Join us as we review the highs and lows of the last week, as well as previewing the week ahead.
Week 2: 25 - 31 October 2021
Week Record: 1-1
Overall Record: 2-3. 10th in Western Conference.
Games Played and Results:
L - 107 - 110 Vs Sacramento Kings
W - 101 - 92 Vs Cleveland Cavaliers
What is it with Harrison Barnes and game winners against us? Before that though, in the 1st half the Suns looked like they were finally getting in to the swing of the season, going in to the half up 8. They then came out completely flat in the 3rd quarter. Unfortunately Buddy Hield of the Kings caught fire as the Suns went cold. Hield himself went 4/5 from 3 for 14 points and the Suns went 0/6 from 3 for 15 points and down by 6 points.
Suns fought back in the 4th, but it all came down to that last second shot from Barnes.
Next the Cavs came to town and this game was the opposite. The Suns got down by 14 in the 2nd quarter before fighting back and taking a commanding lead after a 50-12 scoring run. Things weren't all rosy though, as Deandre Ayton picked up a bone bruise in the 2nd half.
Superstar Watch (Season stats):
Booker - 22.6 Points, 4.6 Rebounds, 5.8 Assists, 0.8 Steals, 41.6 FG%, 28.6 3PT FG%, 2.2 Turnovers
Chris Paul - 12.8 Points, 3.8 Rebounds, 10.6 Assists, 2.2 Steals 43.8 FG%, 41.7 3PT FG%, 2.4 Turnovers
Scorching Suns:
Deandre Ayton
Over the 2 games this week DA averaged 19 Points, 16.5 Rebounds, 2 Steals on 77.3% shooting. He had a monster game against the Kings (more on that below) and was playing fantastically until having to leave the game.
Struggling Suns:
Landry Shamet
Shamet looked like he was fitting in well to start the season, but his shooting has completely fallen off a cliff this week. He shot 1 for 6 from 3 and 2 of 9 overall and averaged 3.5 points in his 18 minutes.
Stat Line of the Week:
Deandre Ayton Vs Sacramento Kings
Despite the loss, we have to pay attention to this huge 20-20 stat line from DA. He is only the 3rd player in Suns history to have 20+ points, 20+ rebounds on 75%+ shooting.
Game stat line:
21 Points, 21 Rebounds, 1 Assist, 1 Steal, 1 Block, 9/12 FGs (75%).
Honourable mentions:
None - unfortunately
Upcoming Games:
We have 3 games this week.
The home-stand continues this week as the Pelicans, Rockets and Hawks come to town.
We've just found out that Deandre Ayton is questionable for Tuesday's game following the leg bruise he picked up against Cleveland. This is exactly the reason we needed someone like JaVale McGee around.
I see us going 2-1, the loss coming at the hands of the Hawks.
Predictions League:
Any Other Business:
CP3 moving up the Assist Rankings
Chris Paul is only 1 assist away from passing Mark Jackson for 4th on the NBA all-time career assists list and only 8 away from passing Steve Nash for 3rd.
Steve Nash
Today (1st November) marks 25 years since the debut of 2-time NBA MVP and Suns legend Steve Nash.
He played 5 minutes, logged nothing in the box score and took & missed 1 3-pointer.
Jalen Smith
Just as the tweet from Shams says, the Suns have declined the contract option on Smith deal, making him an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season. It's off for teams to not pick up this option on their rookie contract players, but Smith hasn't shown the ability to contribute to a team with championship aspirations and the team will be able to get more production from a player on a vet minimum deal next season.
I feel bad for Jalen, but it's a tough business and we've all seen how tight Robert Sarver can be with money and that Jones is always focused on bettering the team, however this news does show that the front office knows they made a mistake in drafting Smith.
Go On My Suns!
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